Australia struggles to 187-6 against South Africa in curtailed Test opener

Australia's opening day in their first World Test Championship series encounter against South Africa was marked by struggles at the crease, with the visitors reaching 187 for six when bad light halted play 24.4 overs ahead of schedule on Friday at Kingsmead Oval.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Australia found themselves in difficult territory at 124 for six before Matt Renshaw steadied the innings with an unbeaten 46. Renshaw and Pat Cummins (33 not out) combined for an unbroken 63-run stand for the seventh wicket to provide some respectability to the scorecard.

South Africa's bowling attack made early inroads, with Wiaan Mulder claiming two wickets and Marco Jansen taking one to reduce Australia to 24 for two. Travis Head departed caught behind off Mulder for nine, while Nic Maddinson—playing his first Test since 2016 following his recovery from testicular cancer—was bowled by Jansen after facing 33 deliveries without scoring.

Steve Smith and Marcus Labuschagne offered some resistance with a 60-run partnership for the third wicket before Mulder struck again, trapping Labuschagne lbw just before lunch for 37. The South African pacer's disciplined bowling proved difficult for the Australian middle order to navigate throughout the shortened day.